Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Introduction

Hot cross buns are a classic treat enjoyed especially around Easter, but delicious any time of year. These spiced, fruit-filled buns topped with a sweet cross icing and a glossy orange glaze are delightful for breakfast or a snack. Follow this recipe to create soft, flavorful buns from scratch.

Ingredients

• 4 cups bread flour
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 2 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup butter, diced
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 cup raisins (or any other dried fruit)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons water
• Juice of ½ orange
• ½ cup all purpose flour (for icing)
• ¼ cup milk (for icing)
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar (for icing)
• ½ cup granulated sugar (for glaze)
• 1 tablespoon water (for glaze)
• 3 tablespoons orange juice (for glaze)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the bread flour, salt, active dry yeast, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir for about 1 minute until well mixed.
2. Step 2: Add the diced butter slowly, mixing on low speed until the mixture resembles sand. Then stir in the raisins and orange zest. If your raisins are large, cut them into smaller pieces first.
3. Step 3: Warm the milk and water in a heat-proof container in the microwave for 1 minute until about 110°F. Whisk in the juice of half an orange.
4. Step 4: Add the warm milk mixture to the flour mixture and beat on medium speed until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is soft and slightly tacky.
5. Step 5: Shape the dough into a ball and lightly oil the mixing bowl before placing the dough back inside. Cover and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
6. Step 6: Divide the dough into 24 equal portions, about 1.5 ounces each. Roll each portion into a ball and place evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a towel and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.
7. Step 7: Meanwhile, whisk the all purpose flour, milk, and 2 teaspoons sugar in a small bowl until it forms a paste similar to royal icing. Transfer to a piping bag or a snipped corner of a ziplock bag, and pipe a cross on each bun.
8. Step 8: Preheat the oven to 400°F while the buns are rising.
9. Step 9: Bake the buns for 15-20 minutes until golden brown on top. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool further.
10. Step 10: To make the glaze, combine ½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon water, and 3 tablespoons orange juice in a small saucepan. Heat over medium until the sugar dissolves, then cool for 10 minutes. Brush the glaze over warm buns and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Try substituting dried cranberries or currants for the raisins for a different flavor.
• Use cooled orange marmalade instead of the glaze for a thicker, fruitier finish.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute plant-based milk and butter alternatives.
• Ensure your liquids are warm but not hot to activate the yeast properly without killing it.

Storage

Store leftover buns covered or in a zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. To refresh stale buns, warm them briefly in the microwave until soft before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand. Combine ingredients in a large bowl and knead on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.

Can I freeze the hot cross buns?

Absolutely. After baking and cooling, wrap the buns tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm slightly before serving.

Hot Cross Buns Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 52 reviews

• Author: anna
• Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 servings 1x

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Description

Deliciously spiced Hot Cross Buns with a tender crumb, studded with raisins and a hint of orange zest. These traditional Easter buns feature a signature cross made from a simple flour icing and are glazed with a sweet orange syrup for a shiny finish. Perfect for a festive breakfast or teatime treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 4 cups bread flour
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 2 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup butter, diced
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 cup raisins (or other dried fruit)
• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons water
• Juice of ½ orange

Cross Icing

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Glaze

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 3 tablespoons orange juice

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Instructions

1. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together the bread flour, salt, active dry yeast, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice for 1 minute until well combined.
2. Add Butter and Mix: Add the diced butter gradually and mix on low speed until the mixture becomes like coarse sand. Then mix in the raisins and orange zest. If raisins are large, cut them into smaller pieces with scissors for even distribution.
3. Warm Liquid Ingredients: Warm the milk and water in a microwave-safe cup for 1 minute until about 110°F. Whisk in the egg and juice from half an orange, stirring to combine thoroughly.
4. Form the Dough: Add the warm milk mixture to the flour mixture. Beat on medium speed until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and becomes soft and slightly tacky to the touch.
5. First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and set it in a warm spot to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. Divide and Shape Buns: Punch down the dough gently and divide it into 24 equal portions, each about 1.5 ounces. Roll each portion into a small ball and place them evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise again for 30-45 minutes in a warm spot.
7. Make the Cross Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, milk, and granulated sugar to form a pipeable paste resembling royal icing. Transfer to a piping bag or a plastic bag with a snipped corner, and pipe a cross shape on top of each bun.
8. Preheat Oven: While the buns are rising, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
9. Bake Buns: Bake the buns for 15-20 minutes until golden brown on top. Remove from oven and cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
10. Prepare Glaze: While baking, mix the granulated sugar, water, and orange juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Let the glaze cool for 10 minutes.
11. Glaze and Serve: Brush the warm glaze over the freshly baked buns to give them a shiny, sweet finish. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
12. Storage: Store any leftovers covered or in a zipper bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. To refresh, warm the buns briefly in the microwave to soften if they become stale.

Notes

• Use room temperature milk and butter for best dough texture.
• Raisins can be swapped with currants, dried cranberries, or chopped dried apricots.
• Ensure the milk and water mixture is not too hot to avoid killing the yeast; 110°F is ideal.
• The cross icing can be piped thick or thin depending on preference; consistency should be pipeable but thick enough to hold shape.
• Glazing adds a lovely shine and flavor, but can be omitted if a less sweet bun is preferred.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and milk with plant-based alternatives.
• These buns freeze well; wrap cooled buns tightly before freezing and thaw at room temperature before warming.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Keywords: Hot Cross Buns, Easter Buns, Spiced Buns, Yeast Bread, Raisin Buns, Orange Zest Buns, British Pastry